Charlie Cummings – For the Love

Film's Not Dead

January 8, 2018

Meet London based photographer Charlie Cummings, the ninth winner of our competition, ‘For the Love’ in collaboration with Kodak Alaris.

After thousands of fantastic entries Cummings intimate portrait of rapper Wiz Khalifa caught our eye. The composition, pose and single eye staring directly into the lens all add up to create this beautiful capture.

Charlie spoke to us about how his winning photo came about, how his sitters react to him shooting film and of course his love for music…

First off congratulations! Your wining photo of Wiz Khalifa is a great photo, how did this situation with him come about?

Charlie Cummings

Thank you very much. This was a weird one actually. I was commissioned to shoot this piece for HungerTV in 2014 (I think?) It was actually shot in a small room at the Atlantic offices. We didn't have that long with him. This shot was actually never published, I found it earlier this year.

It really depends on the shoot. If it is just me and an artist I'll just sit and chat with them for a bit whilst loading film and then go out and shoot. If there is a client there, i will tend to speak to them about what we want to achieve. Also go through styling with the stylist.

You’ve managed to shoot the likes of J Hus, Anderson Paak, The Maccabees and many more. What made you get into portraiture?

Charlie Cummings

I have always really loved music, and have wanted to be apart of it in someway and this was my way to be involved I guess.

We understand you shoot a lot of your work on film, which we love to see! Is there a reason why you decide to shoot on film and what reaction do you get from your sitters?

Charlie Cummings

I feel like film is really coming back. And I know there are alot of people who think it's a fad and all these young photographers trying to look cool/arty/edgy. I personally do it for myself. First of all, I love the crops, for me 6x45 or 6x7 is a much nicer crop than 35mm. I struggle to make the most of a 35mm sensor. It really depends on who I am shooting. I remember I was shooting Roots Manuva a couple of years ago and I started shooting digital and he wasn't taking it that seriously. I then started using my Mamiya RZ and instantly his demeanor changed. He started to be more engaged in what was happening. Always nice when that happens.

What’s your most valued lesson you’ve learnt that you could pass on?

Charlie Cummings

Not to compare yourself to others. It's hard. People will always be doing bigger better things. Focus on your own work and enjoy it.

That's a hard one. I've had my work described in many different ways. I've been told it is quite soft, not sure how true that is, but I will take it. I have also been told it is "urban" which I really don't agree with.